Fun With Fractals uploaded 12/3/12
How 3D Glasses Work uploaded 12/3/12
LNS Special Seminar Recorded 11/29/12
alice rescues self
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VUCast Extra: Celebrating at Vandy’s Bowl Announcement Party
Where are you spending New Year’s Eve? Watching about 1,400 people celebrating at the Vanderbilt bowl announcement party will get you in the mood to cheer the Dores to a victory at the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. Visit Bowl Central for more information.
Working with our environment - an introduction
Global warming: are we responsible? Is our environmental impact damaging the planet? This unit examines the use of ozone depleting technology, the impact of fossil fuel use and explores how the development of technology can influence the direction of a society. From the Industrial Revolution to the present day find out how we have changed the planet.Author(s):
Future energy demand and supply
When you consider that the global annual consumption of primary energy increased more than ten-fold during the 20th Century, the importance of planning future energy supply becomes clear. First published on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 as Author(s):
Climate change
Human societies have to take urgent action to end their dependences on fossil fuels. We have to alter the whole path of our development and decision making in order to make our societies both environmentally adaptable and sustainable. This unit takes on the task of trying to chart some of the ways in which it might be possible. First published on We
Nutrition: Proteins
This Unit studies 'proteins'. Starting with a simple analysis of the molecular make up, the Unit moves on to look at the importance of protein and how they are digested and absorbed First published on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 as Nutrition: Proteins
Managing coastal environments
Coastal environments are by their nature ever-changing. This unit looks at the example of the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, England, describing how the current state of the estuary came to be. It examines the contests and conflicts that centre on the estuary in terms of managing the environment for human needs and the needs of the other species who make their habitat there.Author(s):
Biofuels
This unit investigates what is meant by a biofuel and covers the advantages of using biofuels compared to fossil fuels. The different types of biofuel are explored, with particular emphasis on transport biofuels. Finally, the issue of whether biofuels are the complete answer to our future energy needs is considered. First published on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 as Author(s):
Energy resources: Coal
During the Indistrial Revolution half of the world's coal came from Britain. We still rely heavily on it today to meet our energy needs, but now we input more than we produce. Burning it introduces large amounts of gases into the atmosphere that harm the environment in a variety of ways. In this unit it will become apparent that the most appealing quality of coal is that there is plenty of it.Author(s):
Vaccination
Vaccinations are now considered a part of everyday life, but how do they work? This unit will help those with a background in biology understand the historical development of vaccination, assess the various types of vaccines used today, examine their production and explore the limitations that are placed on vaccination programmes. First published on Tue, 04 Oct 2011
Volcanic hazards
This Unit discusses the various hazards posed by different types of volcanic eruption, illustrated by examples from recent eruptions. The discussion is focussed around reading Chapter 5 of “Teach yourself volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis” by OU volcanologist David Rothery. First published on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 as Author(s):
Influenza: A case study
This unit explores the biology of influenza, covering a range of topics including: the virus, infection, replication, mutation, immune responses, pathology, surveillance, diagnosis and treatment. First published on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 as Infl
Water use and the water cycle
Water is arguably the most important physical resource as it is the one that is essential to human survival. Understanding the global water cycle and how we use water is essential to planning a sustainable source of water for the future. First published on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 as Author(s):
Earth's physical resources: petroleum
The discovery of of the world's first major underground oilfield in Pennsylvania, USA in 1859 sparked the continuing era of the world's reliance on cheap energy from oil and gas. This unit begins by examining the geological characteristics of petroleum and the key ingredients necessary to form oil and gas accumulations. Then there is a brief description of industrial operations during the life cycle of an oilfield, starting with subsurface analysis and exploration drilling. The unit also highlig
The evolving Universe
The ‘Big Bang’ is said to be the origin of our Universe. This unit will help you to comprehend what happened in the moments immediately after the Big Bang and during the initial cooling period. You will also gain an understanding of how this event turned in to the Universe we live in today. First published on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 as Author(s):
Energy resources: An introduction to energy resources
Energy resources are essential for any society, be it one dependent on subsistence farming or an industrialised country. There are many different sources of energy, some well-known such as coal or petroleum, others less so, such as tides or the heat inside the Earth. Is nuclear power a salvation or a nightmare? This unit provides background information to each resource, so that you can assess them for yourself.Author(s):
